Sugar Sabotage: What’s In That Drink?

The weather is getting warmer, which means cookouts, pool time, and of course refreshing treats! The first day of Spring is celebrated each year by the re-opening of Rita’s. Ice cream shop lines are getting longer. Ice cold lemonade is becoming the beverage of choice. While all of these treats are fine in moderation, it’s important to remember they are exactly that, treats! These sugar-loaded choices can have some major impacts on the diet if consumed daily, including depleting your body of essential vitamins and minerals, weakening your immune system, and causing fatigue.

Now it’s no secret ice cream and other desserts are full of sugar, but what about other things you may be consuming every day like your coffee and tea choices?? Check out our sugar chart to compare some common favorites.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA, 2018), the maximum amount of added sugars you should eat in a day are: Men: 150 calories per day (37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons) Women: 100 calories per day (25 grams or 6 teaspoons)

Nutrition information for these places and others is available online. Take a minute to look up your go-to choice and see how much sugar you may be consuming daily!